You what?

Today I had another first in my education career. I find it amazing how I have done this job for ten years and yet I still get curveballs thrown my way. I have had drama this year with one of my teachers. Honestly, though, it could have been A LOT worse. I mean, stuff that's happened this year as made my head hurt thinking, "What are you thinking?" Today that occurred to me again.

I went to ask a teacher about a student's progress. I have to do this with this teacher because the grade the student has received this year in her class has been fuzzy. I haven't understood how the kid's grade was figured, and so I try to ask every Friday about his progress so I can know what I can do to help this child earn a good grade. He's a smart kid, and deserves the chance to earn his A. Let me state that again EARN HIS A. This kid is willing to work his tail off for his grades. He doesn't slack off. He doesn't complain. He does what's necessary to get the grade he earns. He has great parental support, and he really has the potential to earn straight A's.

He did earn Straight A's for third quarter, which was awesome. When grades came out, I was very very pleased that the kid made an A. I didn't ask questions, I just accepted it. The kid had earned his A. Today I learned differently.

When I spoke to the teacher, she said, "I gave him the A."
I looked at her. Did I hear that right?
"What?"
"I gave him the A. That's what everyone wanted. The kid struggles in Math, but our principal comes to me all the time asking questions, so I figured I'd just give him the A."
I was beyond pissed.
I'm fine with the kid making a B or C if that's what he has earned.
But giving him an A?
I responded with, "So, he didn't earn the A?"
To which she said, "It doesn't matter, it's what everyone wanted."
I stood there.
I honestly took a breath and said a silent prayer.
I said, "Okay, he can EARN his A this quarter. I don't care what it takes. I'll work with him after school, his Mother can work with him. He can EARN the A."
I was so mad I can't tell you what she replied with because I was so mad.
I don't get mad.
But when you mess with one of my students, it's not good.
She gave me a practice thing for him to work on, that has nothing to do with what they're doing in class.
I just took it and walked away.
I tell ya what, I have a new goal this quarter, to make sure this kid EARNS his A.
I don't know what I'm going to do.
But this kid has the capability to EARN the A.
It's good we have a weekend.
I need time.
Ugh.

Later.